Santo Domingo. – The Conference of the Dominican Episcopate (CED) called on the population to renew the baptismal commitment, while expressing concern for the corruption cases that affect the country and in the face of the challenges that Dominican society faces in the current context, marked, in the opinion of the bishops, by the fractured relationships and multiple forms of violence.
In the pastoral letter on the occasion of the feast of Our Lady, the pastors of the catholic church they cited the domestic violencecitizen insecurity, discriminationdefamation and dcull of the most vulnerableamong the challenges that still must be addressed in the Dominican Republic.
“It is enough to observe the news media to see a world of wounded and fragmented relationships at all levels,” noted the episcopate.
In the document titled “Renewal and baptismal commitment, from a synodal perspective”the high religious body emphasized that the sin and injustice They not only have an individual dimension, but also a social one.
In this sense, he recalled that the corruption has consequences, especially when it deprives citizens of essential services.
“Hands stained by corruption have denied medicine and fundamental rights to many patients, seriously affecting human dignity,” he indicated.
For this reason, he urged the judicial system to act without privileges or impunity in these cases that have caused consternation and rejection among citizens.
“May the hand of justice, no privileges for anyoneknow sanction in an exemplary manner to everyone according to the size of the damage caused to society by corruption,” the prelates point out, highlighting the need for the common good prevail over particular interests.
Protection towards the family
The bishops also reaffirmed their defense of the family, placing it in the center of baptismal and social commitmentfor which they regretted the deaths due to domestic violence, crime and citizen insecurity; as well as the death of young people involved in crime and drugs and deaths in traffic accidents.”
“Many family realities tear the heart of the human being, and evoke the tears of Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus to express his closeness to those who suffer,” added the episcopate.
Faced with this reality, he made a firm call to the protection of children and adolescentsdenouncing all forms of violence and exclusion, and urging society to assume a collective responsibility in the face of these realities that threaten life and hope.
Call to dialogue
The episcopate’s letter also highlights the importance of listening and dialogue as ways to heal social divisionsfrom the synodal perspective.
“ANDListening is essential to renew our relationships“, affirm the bishops, warning about the dehumanizing use of digital media when they are used for violence, hatred or misinformation.
In contrast, they urge people to take advantage of new technologies “to spread the goodencourage dialogue, protect the weak and promote the truth.”
The episcopate also remembers that the Baptism is the foundation of a new life that transforms human and social relationships. “Through baptism we enter into a new relationship with God, with others and with all creation,” the bishops affirm, emphasizing that this relationship is called to live in communionparticipation and co-responsibility.
Environmental care
When referring to the environment, the Conference of the Dominican Episcopate recalled that the creation cannot be seen as property to exploitbut as a gift entrusted to the human responsibility. In that order, he expressed concern about pollutionthe accumulation of garbage and the massive presence of sargassum on beaches, and promotes responsible public decisions.
The bishops invited the Dominican people to renew your baptismal commitment through a double attitude: renounce all forms of evilviolence and corruption, and the commitment to live as brothersworking for a more just and supportive society.
“We have all been baptized in one Spirit to form one body,” the letter concludes.
